ST. PAUL, Minnesota--For the third year in a row, 3M ESPE ranks as the most innovative company in the dental industry, according to the 2007 Dental Industry Review conducted by The Anaheim Group.
"While our scientists certainly enjoy the "candy store" of technologies we have within the walls of 3M, producing innovative solutions for our customers is taken very seriously at all levels," said Al Viehbeck, global technical director, 3M ESPE. "From the time spent working with our customers to the time spent working in the lab, we're focused on bringing new ideas to the marketplace that help make the practice of dentistry easier and more efficient. We are proud to be recognized for these efforts."
During the past five years, 3M ESPE has led the dental industry with an average of 45 innovations per year. Entering 2008, the R&D engines are continuing to hum, bringing to market three new innovations in materials and equipment including the Filtek LS Low Shrink Posterior Restorative System, the Pentamix 3 Automatic Mixing Unit, and the Lava Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S.
"Early entries into the market are solidifying 3M ESPE's leadership in restorative dentistry, impression solutions and the overarching process of digital workflow," said Jeff Lavers, division vice president and general manager, 3M ESPE. "It's gratifying to see the continuing flow of new products that result from the combination of our innovative spirit and the ongoing feedback we get from collaborating with customers."
The Anaheim Group considers three components in its innovation index, including FDA 510(k) new product clearances for the U.S. market, United States Patent Office dental industry patents, and dental patents from the European Patent Office and the World International Patent Office. The Dental Industry Review summarizes the key business and technical events occurring in the worldwide dental industry.
For more information on the complete 3M ESPE line of dental products, visit the 3M ESPE Web site at 3M ESPE or call the 3M ESPE Customer Care Hotline at (800) 634-2249.
To read more about 3M ESPE, go to 3M ESPE.
To read about 3M ESPE's Innovative Dental Assistant of the Year Award, go to 3M ESPE.
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